Max Rose’s Reviews > Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets > Status Update

Wow… It pains me to say this but The Chamber of Secrets and The Heir of Slytherin chapters are terrible! The movie does it way better. In the book, Tom Riddle basically recites exposition every other line. He’s even the one who reminds Harry (i.e.; the reader) that Fawkes’ tears have healing power. What? And he completely lacks the menace of even the most forgettable super villains. I’m stunned.

Snakes have their own language but spiders speak English?

I don’t think the writing has improved much, but Rowling sure knows how end her chapters with a cliff hanger. It’s hard to put the book down!

Kenneth Branagh is REALLY good at delivering Lockhart’s lines lol

Much like Dune, I keep thinking about all the ways the movie did something better. The movie is a really good adaptation and where it’s not faithful, it’s an improvement. I expect things to pick up soon

Some truly insane details in chapter 2 lmao
1. Wizards have slaves (house elves)
2. The Dursley’s literally imprison Harry in his room
3. The Ministry of Magic’s surveillance of underage wizards would make the Thought Police of 1984 proud.